It will sell well enough. This is less about selling millions of copies and more about subsidizing lackluster sales of MHXX itself. Being on a new platform with less games and offering a better looking experience of the game is a good way to inject extra sales instantly. It also helps build the foundation for future MH releases on the platform.

Member

I don't think it means anything in terms of exclusivity, but I think it makes it very clear that being a portable series is very important to Capcom in Japan and they need that continuity. Whether there is a PS4 version really depends on how much resources Capcom is willing to invest to try making it a bigger franchise internationally.

Jpop

Unconfirmed Member

I don't think it means anything in terms of exclusivity, but I think it makes it very clear that being a portable series is very important to Capcom in Japan and they need that continuity. Whether there is a PS4 version really depends on how much resources Capcom is willing to invest to try making it a bigger franchise internationally.

Member

I don't think it means anything in terms of exclusivity, but I think it makes it very clear that being a portable series is very important to Capcom in Japan and they need that continuity. Whether there is a PS4 version really depends on how much resources Capcom is willing to invest to try making it a bigger franchise internationally.

You're right, it doesn't, and people will realise this soon enough. As I've said previously, that rumour that suggested there'd be a more traditional portable series and a separate console series going forward shouldn't be dismissed.

It will sell well enough. This is less about selling millions of copies and more about subsidizing lackluster sales of MHXX itself. Being on a new platform with less games and offering a better looking experience of the game is a good way to inject extra sales instantly. It also helps build the foundation for future MH releases on the platform.

No I don't think those are the questions at all. In fact, those aren't even open questions.

There is no question that there is a huge demographic of core gamers who play multiplayer action games online outside of Japan who don't necessarily care for portable gaming at all. These are people who tend to game on PS4/XB1/PC now. It's not that they don't buy MH because it is on the 3DS, it is just that they don't play on the 3DS at all.

The question is not about whether people who already want MH are holding off for it on the PS4. Is it whether Capcom can successfully capture the attention of people who don't care about MH now, by offering them the experience on platforms they actually play.

J

Jpop

Unconfirmed Member

No I don't think those are the questions at all. In fact, those aren't even open questions.

There is no question that there is a huge demographic of core gamers who play multiplayer action games online outside of Japan who don't necessarily care for portable gaming at all. These are people who tend to game on PS4/XB1/PC now. It's not that they don't buy MH because it is on the 3DS, it is just that they don't play on the 3DS at all.

The question is not about whether people who already want MH are holding off for it on the PS4. Is it whether Capcom can successfully capture the attention of people who don't care about MH now, by offering them the experience on platforms they actually play.

Member

You're right, it doesn't, and people will realise this soon enough. As I've said previously, that rumour that suggested there'd be a more traditional portable series and a separate console series going forward shouldn't be dismissed.

In Japan, MH is absolutely saturated in terms of reach. It's a huge franchise that has reached pretty much everyone who cares for that sort of thing because it is on a platform which perfectly fits the gaming habits of the main demographic for the title in the region. So additional platforms won't do much more, that's true.

In the west, there is absolutely no question that MH has not remotely reached the potential it could have in terms of reaching the audience which would be interested in such games. The point is not exponential traction due to an added platform. The point is, portable gaming is the wrong platform for this demographic outside of Japan because gaming habits are different.

Member

There was a rumour about it a while back. A couple in fact I think, but I can't find the threads right now. A lot of people laughed at the idea, but I don't think it's too far from the truth of the matter.

Capcom wants to expand the reach of the series in the west. The 3DS saw MH gain traction here but it being a portable, it's reach was always limited. When Capcom spoke about expanding the series' reach in the west and that 3DS had limited them, they definitely weren't talking about Switch. The system wasn't even out yet. I think it's pretty obvious that the series will split off and/or go multiplatform.

In the west, there is absolutely no question that MH has not remotely reached the potential it could have in terms of reaching the audience which would be interested in such games. The point is not exponential traction due to an added platform. The point is, portable gaming is the wrong platform for this demographic outside of Japan because gaming habits are different.

Member

In Japan, MH is absolutely saturated in terms of reach. It's a huge franchise that has reached pretty much everyone who cares for that sort of thing because it is on a platform which perfectly fits the gaming habits of the main demographic for the title in the region. So additional platforms won't do much more, that's true.

In the west, there is absolutely no question that MH has not remotely reached the potential it could have in terms of reaching the audience which would be interested in such games. The point is not exponential traction due to an added platform. The point is, portable gaming is the wrong platform for this demographic outside of Japan because gaming habits are different.

Member

There was a rumour about it a while back. A couple in fact I think, but I can't find the threads right now. A lot of people laughed at the idea, but I don't think it's too far from the truth of the matter.

Capcom wants to expand the reach of the series in the west. The 3DS saw MH gain traction here but it being a portable, it's reach was always limited. When Capcom spoke about expanding the series' reach in the west and that 3DS had limited them, they definitely weren't talking about Switch. The system wasn't even out yet. I think it's pretty obvious that the series will split off and/or go multiplatform.

Member

Duckroll is right. Anyone who thinks that the PS4 is some magic platform that will exponentially increase MH sales is delusional. I've always held the opinion that the home console MH fan-base in the west on all platforms is there but it needs to be grown.

J

Jpop

Unconfirmed Member

In Japan, MH is absolutely saturated in terms of reach. It's a huge franchise that has reached pretty much everyone who cares for that sort of thing because it is on a platform which perfectly fits the gaming habits of the main demographic for the title in the region. So additional platforms won't do much more, that's true.

In the west, there is absolutely no question that MH has not remotely reached the potential it could have in terms of reaching the audience which would be interested in such games. The point is not exponential traction due to an added platform. The point is, portable gaming is the wrong platform for this demographic outside of Japan because gaming habits are different.

The problem with this is that none of them are as high quality as Monster Hunter. I still stand by my opinion that the performance of games like Toukiden are no indication of how well a hunting action game can do on a console as I feel that MH shits on that series from a great height.

In the west, i have no doubt there's a market for online co-operative, loot heavy action games. To what extent this would improve the franchise's foothold in EU/NA/AUS remains to be seen, but there's room for growth there and it certainly won't be accomplished by 3DS or even Switch.

Member

I guess I have to wonder, would they be better served creating a new IP instead then? If they're really going for the West, where MH doesn't have much brand power anyways, would putting the MH name on a spinoff/secondary series be of much use? Sure in Japan it might sell b/c of the MH name, but that wouldn't be the point of that franchise then.

Capcom could use some secondary money-makers. I guess it doesn't really matter if the console "MH" is technically branded MH or not as long as it's successful and makes money alongside traditional MH, but it's just an interesting thought. That way Capcom can continue to work with Nintendo and see whether they can grow MH like they did with MH4 as well as launching a riskier venture on PS4/XB1/PC (and maybe even that one hits Switch for good measure).

Okay but the point isn't about whether it is multiplatform, the point is about whether it is on a platform that allows it to sell to the people who might be most likely to buy into it. Does that make more sense?

Member

I guess I have to wonder, would they be better served creating a new IP instead then? If they're really going for the West, where MH doesn't have much brand power anyways, would putting the MH name on a spinoff/secondary series be of much use? Sure in Japan it might sell b/c of the MH name, but that wouldn't be the point of that franchise then.

At the end of the day, a game gains traction and attention due to marketing and WOM. A strong marketing campaign and good impression of a game goes a long way. Witcher 3 is a prime example of this. Witcher 1 and 2 didn't exactly light the world on fire but Witcher 3 absolutely knocked it out of the park.

Member

At the end of the day, a game gains traction and attention due to marketing and WOM. A strong marketing campaign and good impression of a game goes a long way. Witcher 3 is a prime example of this. Witcher 1 and 2 didn't exactly light the world on fire but Witcher 3 absolutely knocked it out of the park.

Well I agree with you, but I'm not sure what that has to do with "should they make "console MH" a new IP or a spinoff"...

Also the Switch continues to be totally sold out partly because Nintendo can't ship enough... I've got to ask, is there any indication of Nintendo's gameplan before Splatoon 2 and now MHXX (and the eventual DQXI) to ship more units?....

Member

Even if Capcom do spilt MH into mainline and Portable again, it'll allow them to save costs by sharing assets, and they can more easily target different markets. Make the mainline games a Western-focused game-as-service, and the Portable series more traditional.

Member

I don't see why Capcom would need to "split" the series in "portable" and "mainline" ever again. Especially where in the future, in the main market for MH, it will be sold mainly on a platform which is... both a portable and a console.

Well they should probably stick with the MH name since it has brand recognition in Japan. Even though MH isn't a big brand overseas, what I'm saying is that it CAN be big given the right conditions. Having to make a separate series isn't exactly cost effective imo so I believe it'll all be one and the same.

Member

I don't see why Capcom would need to "split" the series in "portable" and "mainline" ever again. Especially where in the future, in the main market for MH, it will be sold mainly on a platform which is... both a portable and a console.

I get that part, but if they're looking to make MH a franchise that appeals to the taste of those Western gamers you mentioned, that would likely require changing up the formula in some way right? Do you think that can be done without alienating the traditional MH base? Or does it make more sense to have a separate game/franchise that takes more risks with that?

Member

I guess I have to wonder, would they be better served creating a new IP instead then? If they're really going for the West, where MH doesn't have much brand power anyways, would putting the MH name on a spinoff/secondary series be of much use? Sure in Japan it might sell b/c of the MH name, but that wouldn't be the point of that franchise then.

Capcom could use some secondary money-makers. I guess it doesn't really matter if the console "MH" is technically branded MH or not as long as it's successful and makes money alongside traditional MH, but it's just an interesting thought. That way Capcom can continue to work with Nintendo and see whether they can grow MH like they did with MH4 as well as launching a riskier venture on PS4/XB1/PC (and maybe even that one hits Switch for good measure).

It wasn't until Tri G that the series mainline hit portables. And even then there was a port of portable 3 to PS3 and a Port of TriG to WiiU. It's really only recently that it has remained on one platform.

They did it before, they could probably do it again. But my guess is like last time the portable series will still be where the majority of the revenue comes from.

I don't see why Capcom would need to "split" the series in "portable" and "mainline" ever again. Especially where in the future, in the main market for MH, it will be sold mainly on a platform which is... both a portable and a console.

Member

I get that part, but if they're looking to make MH a franchise that appeals to the taste of those Western gamers you mentioned, that would likely require changing up the formula in some way right? Do you think that can be done without alienating the traditional MH base? Or does it make more sense to have a separate game/franchise that takes more risks with that?

I never said anything about appealing to the taste of western gamers or changing any formula. I am simply saying that Monster Hunter as a franchise has not reached the full audience which would want to play it simply because many players who would give the series a shot don't play games on portables. Has nothing to do with the formula. Has to do with the platform and marketing.